Results 8,821-8,840 of 10,600 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: As I said at the outset, the Government is committed to making sure that the necessary funding, not only for private infrastructure but also for public infrastructure, is made available. As he was at the meeting in Midleton fire station when the CEO of Cork County Council raised the issue of damaged public infrastructure, Deputy O'Connor will be aware that the Taoiseach's response on behalf...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I will deal with the last question first. Deputy O'Sullivan was with me in Glanmire when we discussed with the OPW the question of whether mitigating measures can be taken in parallel to the construction of the Glanmire flood relief scheme. Once Cork City Council has completed its assessment of which needs are interim versus long-term - because of the limitations we have on the amount of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government launched a national CFRAM programme of 120 new flood relief schemes in 2018. While Midleton was part of this programme, major flooding in 2015 and again in 2016 was the catalyst to commence work on the design of the scheme. Cork County Council, which is leading the design of the scheme, appointed engineering and environmental consultants in 2017. Designing any flood relief...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: At the meeting we had on Tuesday with Cork County Council, the issue of interim measures was raised with the manager for the southern region of Cork, the director of services and the county engineer. The OPW has asked Cork County Council to assess the town and the flooded areas, including the Water-rock and Ballinacurra areas and the centre of the town, to see if there are interim measures...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I agree with Deputy Durkan. If the arterial drainage provisions had not been in place in the north and eastern part of County Cork, in the Blackwater catchment in particular, we would be dealing with a far greater catastrophe than that with which we are already dealing. To put it in context, seven people lost their lives in Storm Babet in the United Kingdom. We are very lucky that we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with local...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The time for construction is limited by the time we are allowed into rivers. I know, for instance, the Deputy's colleague in the Seanad, Senator Boylan, as the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach referred to, has a particular issue with the Arterial Drainage Act and wants to dismantle it. She wants to dismantle our ability to be able to deliver these schemes. I implore the Deputy to ask her...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been referred to as disingenuous.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: For the benefit of the House, I will quote from the record of the Seanad.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: For the benefit of the House-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: It is important to point out that the Deputy's Seanad colleague-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: -----stated: "Ceasing the arterial drainage works would not only benefit biodiversity but would also reduce the risk of flooding in our towns and villages."

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Waterways Issues (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: Historically, the arterial drainage of river catchments was intended to improve agricultural land. In terms of beneficial objectives served, the arterial drainage schemes progressed under the 1945 Act, are providing drainage outfall for 242,800 hectares of agricultural lands. Importantly, there has been significant development in these areas since the schemes were completed and the land...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: To deliver the proposed measures set out in the Flood Risk Management Plans for County Louth, Louth County Council, working with the Office of Public Works, has agreed to be the Lead Authority in the delivery of flood relief schemes at Dundalk / Blackrock South, Drogheda, Carlingford / Greenore, Baltray and Ardee, all of which are in the first tranche of projects being progressed. The funding...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: On Thursday last An Taoiseach and I visited some of the affected areas, to see at first hand the devastating impact of the aftermath of the flooding following Storm Babet. The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme – Ireland’s largest study of flood risk – was completed by the Office of Public Works in 2018. An output of the CFRAM Programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: I want, on my own and on the Government’s behalf to express sympathy to the people in Cork County and other locations who had their houses and businesses flooded or were impacted by Storm Babet. On Thursday last, the day after the flooding event An Taoiseach and I visited Midleton. We wanted to meet with the local community to see at first hand the devastating impact from Storm Babet,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government has committed €1.3 billion to the delivery of flood relief schemes over the lifetime of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 to protect approximately 23,000 properties in communities that are under threat from river and coastal flood risk. Since 2018, as part of a phased approach to scheme delivery, this funding has allowed the OPW, in partnership with...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) in partnership with Cork City Council are engaging proactively to progress the Glashaboy flood relief scheme for Glanmire. The Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme was confirmed in January 2021 by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform under the Arterial Drainage Acts 1945 to 1995. The scheme is being funded from the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Vacant Properties (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has responsibility on behalf of the State for managing and maintaining a substantial and complex estate of approximately 2,500 properties. This extensive and diverse portfolio of State properties includes office accommodation for all Government Departments, the property estate for An Garda Síochána and numerous properties for many State Agencies....

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Office of Public Works (OPW) has been engaged in a number of activities to assess and develop nature-based solutions for flood risk management. In 2019, a four-year research project, under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research programme, titled ‘A Strategic Look at Natural Water Retention Measures’ (SLOWWATERS) commenced. This ongoing research has a budget...